De Reszke, Edouard

Description

Autograph ID: 5968
Condition: Very good, light overall toning
Description: “(1853-1917) Polish basso with an impressive natural voice and equipped with compelling histrionic skills, became one of the most illustrious late-Victorian era opera singers in Europe and America. Born into a well-to-do, cultured Warsaw family, he spent 4 years studying singing in Italy, and later went to Paris to study. He accepted an engagement with the Paris Opera and was chosen by Verdi to make his debut in the 1st performance of "Aida" on 22 April 1876 in Paris, appearing under the composer's baton as the King of Egypt. Older brother Jean was a renowned lyric-dramatic tenor with whom he would sing often in Paris, London and New York over the next 2 decades, including the 500th performance of Gounod's "Faust" at the Paris Opera in 1887. He appeared on over 300 occasions at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden 1880-1900, singing a wide range of roles in French, German and Italian operas, including works by Wagner, Verdi, Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Gounod, Meyerbeer and Mozart. He was a huge favorite with audiences at New York's Metropolitan Opera during the same era. He also sang in Chicago in 1891 and, in 1879–1881, at Milan's La Scala. In 1903, he retired from the stage after his voice developed technical difficulties and went into a swift decline. He taught singing for a while in London before returning to Poland, where he was adversely affected by the outbreak of WW I in 1914.

Frameable autograph sentiment ("yours truly") signed on a 1 3/4 x 3 1/2card, adds 1902.”

Type: Autograph Sentiment Signed